By Our Correspondent
At the time the dissolution of the governing council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and the sacking of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Benard Odoh by President Bola Tinubu filtered out of the presidency, a group of concerned members of the institution’s ASUU were tackling the national president of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke on his role in the whole saga.
Oblivious of the situation, Odoh himself was receiving various groups in his office when the memo sacking him was drawn to his attention.
He had earlier in the day received the director of the
Chinese team led by the Director of Confucius Institute, Nigeria, Professor Yu Zhangbao who promised massive investment in the area of promoting language studies of the Institute in Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
At about 3pm, a group of lecturers under the auspices of concerned ASUU in UNIZIK, addressed a press conference, during which they argued that it was pre-mature for the ASUU National President to say that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had met at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) in Abia State on 8th -9th November, 2024 and discussed the happenings at Nnamdi Azikiwe University over appointments of the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar.
In their statement, the concerned UNIZIK ASUU members said: “ASUU President and NEC members have lost it because such a matter has never been discussed at the NAU branch congress or Owerri Zonal meeting of ASUU and made available to members.
“So, how can ASUU NEC jump-pass a process to make such a decision that is now in the public space? We advise ASUU President to please, desist from ridiculing the image of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
“Is the ASUU President not aware that some ASUU leaders such as Comrade Kingsley Ubaoji, Comrade Dennis Aribodor and Comrade Ike Harris Odimegwu convened a Senate meeting outside the University excluding over 500 Senators.
“A draft recommendation from the meeting of the 24 senators convened by ASUU NAU leaders was forwarded as senate resolution to the Pro-Chancellor which resulted in the removal of Prof. Joseph Ifeanyi Ikechebelu and the appointment of Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi as the Acting Vice Chancellor.
“It is on record that ASUU NAU chairperson made a recommendation to the governing council which perfected the removal of comrade Ikechebelu- a bonfide ASUU NAU member.
“When has ASUU been given the responsibility of enforcing extant University laws regarding the appointment of Vice Chancellor? Appointment of VC in any Federal University is the responsibility of the university governing council. Hence, governing council appointed the current Vice Chancellor and the Registrar following due process and the extant laws of the university.
“Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, with over nine years Professorship was appointed as the 7th substantive VC. To set the records straight, Professor B. I. Odoh was assessed and promoted to the full rank of Professor at Federal University, Gusau in Zamfara State in 2015.
“It is important to clearly emphasize at this stage that, the Joint Council and Senate Selection Boards for the selection and appointments of the substantive VC and Registrar of Nnamdi Azikiwe University were
legally and adequately constituted.
The Senate and other Stakeholders were adequately represented. The press release from ASUU NEC that internal council members were excluded from the appointments of the Vice Chancellor and Registrar is therefore, misleading to the general public.
“Full Council was summoned and actively participated in the selection and appointment of these two Principal Officers in question.
“Nnamdi Azikiwe University Governing Council led by Amb. Greg.Mbadiwe followed due process and extant laws of the university in the appointments of the Vice Chancellor and Registrar.”
